There's nothing I enjoy more than discovering a book I would not have picked up on my own and finding out I reaReviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

There's nothing I enjoy more than discovering a book I would not have picked up on my own and finding out I really loved it. I received ENCLAVE for review without any prior background information on the story. I popped the first CD into my car's stereo and was immediately hooked.

ENCLAVE takes place in the indeterminate future. Deuce lives underground in the tunnels, where making it to 15 years old is a big deal. For those who make it, they can earn the right to be named. Prior to naming, the kids are called "brats" and are merely named "Girl 15" and so on.

In Deuce's enclave, College, there are the hunters, the builders, and the breeders. All Deuce has ever wanted to be is a Huntress. When she succeeds in her training, she is surprised at being paired with Fade. Though Fade is probably the best hunter of all, he is an outsider, and one who the others wonder about. He came from Topside. No one can survive Topside, yet somehow he has.

Through a series of decisions, Deuce and Fade find themselves out of favor with the elders and are soon banished to the aforementioned Topside. Both of them know that the elders are mistaken and unwilling to listen to the truth, but neither can convince them to listen. So the two set off, determined to survive in a world that is totally different from everything Deuce has ever known.

Deuce and Fade must face many obstacles, including the Freaks (think zombies), gangs, and a city in total ruins. Gangs see Deuce as simply a vehicle for breeding, but she soon shows them her skills with weapons. Fade and Deuce are a formidable team, and are aided by an unlikely female. With the help of Tegan, the three attempt to journey north, to the land that Fade's father always said existed.

ENCLAVE was constant action from the moment that Deuce is named to the final lines of the story. Ms. Bauer reads the tale with all the tension and anticipation that is Deuce's world. She gave life to Deuce and her unending determination to survive, no matter the cost.

This is the type of story that lends itself well to the audiobook format. It's a dark tale, and listening to Ms. Bauer describe the world of the enclave and the tunnels, the listener can close their eyes (well, I couldn't since I was driving!) and totally picture everything being described.

Deuce is an amazing girl. She is strong, faithful, and unwilling to quit. She refuses to leave anyone behind who has helped her, and stands her ground when faced with staggering odds. I don't know if there will be a continuation of the story (I need to know how Tegan turns out!), but I for one would greedily scoop it up if there is a sequel. ...more